Empire Of The Sun Hit One Billion Streams On Breakout Hit

Empire Of The Sun have joined APRA AMCOS’ prestigious 1,000,000,000 List, reaching one billion streams on their 2008 breakout hit Walking On A Dream.

Released as the title track of their debut album in August 2008, the song landed immediately with audiences both locally and abroad – in addition to its #10 peak on the ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart, it was a Top 20 hit in Belgium (where it peaked at #8), Ireland (also #8), Japan (#13), New Zealand (#14) and Italy (#16). It went on to win Empire Of The Sun two awards at the 2009 ARIAs (Single Of The Year and Best Video), plus the 2010 APRA Award for Dance Work Of The Year.

Reflecting on the song’s undying legacy, band member Nick Littlemore said in a new press release, “It’s an evergreen record... it’s new for every generation. It’s the hope as a songwriter or creator in any sense that you can continually reach the kids and give them something to play back.”

The success is jointly celebrated by Universal Music Publishing (to whom Littlemore is signed), Sony Music Publishing (for bandmate Luke Steele) and Kobalt Music Publishing (for co-producer Jono Sloan). In a statement of his own, Universal’s Andrew Jenkins said of the occasion: “I am delighted for Nick. He continues to raise the bar and I am confident this is just one of many Billions Awards that he will go on to collect in the future. Congratulations Nick from everyone at Universal Music Publishing around the world.”

The sentiment was shared by Sony’s Damian Trotter, who highlighted Steele’s artistry on the iconic track: “As the voice, face and co-writer of Empire Of The Sun and of this globally recognised song, Walking On A Dream, Luke Steele is unquestionably one of the most unique and talented artists ever to have emerged from [Australia and New Zealand. Luke is a true artist in every sense of the word and his creative vision knows no bounds. We at Sony Music Publishing are honoured to have worked with Luke from the earliest days of his career and can't think of anyone more deserving of joining this Billionaire’s club.”

All three of the artists were shouted out by APRA AMCOS’ chief executive, Dean Ormston, who said it was “an honour to acknowledge Walking On A Dream” for the company’s Billion List. He praised the song as one “that retains its freshness and otherworldly sound no matter what year it is or where you are in the world”, adding: “Nick, Luke and Jono are very special songwriters and longtime APRA AMCOS members, who we are proud to support on a worldwide scale and through the next billion streams. Congratulations to the publishers of this song, who work day in and out to continue to give it a long life.”

In today's (January 15) press release, it’s noted that the Billion List takes into account streaming numbers from Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube. Awards are given out for the milestone, making it the first industry accolade of its kind. The first batch of plaques were handed out in 2019, commemorating releases by the likes of Nat Dunn (Friends), Flume (Never Be Like You), Cookin’ On 3 Burners (This Girl) and Troye Sivan (Youth).

Other artists to have made the list since include Gotye (who made it in 2020 for Somebody That I Used To Know), Vance Joy (2020 for Riptide), Tame Impala (2021 for The Less I Know The Better), Masked Wolf (2021 for Astronaut In The Ocean), Collin Hay (2022 for Down Under) and PJ Harding (2023 for July). You can see the full list for yourself here.

Meanwhile, Empire Of The Sun returned from a lengthy hiatus last October, uniting with Littlemore’s other project PNAU for the joint single AEIOU. The duo’s last album, Two Vines, arrived in October of 2016 – a follow-up is yet to be confirmed, but we’re hoping Littlemore and Steele have an update for us by the end of this year.